Hydrangea plant named &#39;hortmagibo&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea  plant named ‘Hortmagibo’, characterized by its upright to broadly spreading plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate; freely branching habit with strong and thick sturdy stems; mophead-type inflorescences with dark red purple-colored sterile flowers; and good postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘HORTMAGIBO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla, commercially referred to as a mophead-type Hydrangea and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Hortmagibo’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Boskoop, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to create new Hydrangea plants with large inflorescences with numerous dark red purple-colored sterile flowers and good postproduction longevity.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor on Jun. 10, 2010 in Boskoop, The Netherlands, of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 08-036-07, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Erm-1’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Boskoop, The Netherlands in July, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hydrangea plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Boskoop, The Netherlands has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Hortmagibo’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Hortmagibo’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Upright to broadly spreading plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.     -   3. Freely branching habit with strong and thick sturdy stems.     -   4. Mophead-type inflorescences with dark red purple-colored         sterile flowers.     -   5. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in sterile flower color as sterile flower sepals of plants of the female parent selection are pink and green in color. In addition, inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are more globular than and not as flat as inflorescences of plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the male parent, ‘Erm-1’. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘Erm-1’ in sterile flower color as plants of ‘Erm-1’ have darker colored sterile flower sepals. In addition, sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea are more durable than sterile flowers of plants of ‘Erm1’.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Kolmaru’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,104. In side-by-side comparisons plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘Kolmaru’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea have slightly smaller         inflorescences than plants of ‘Kolmaru’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea have more durable sterile flowers         than plants of ‘Kolmaru’.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘Kolmaru’ differ in sterile         flower color as plants of ‘Kolmaru’ have darker red         purple-colored sterile flower sepals.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can also be compared to plants of the Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Glowing Alps’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘Glowing Alps’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea have stronger lateral branches         than plants of ‘Glowing Alps’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea have more durable sterile flowers         than plants of ‘Glowing Alps’.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘Glowing Alps’ differ in         sterile flower color as plants of ‘Glowing Alps’ have dark         pink-colored sterile flower sepals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance of the new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Hortmagibo’.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘Hortmagibo’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown during the late spring in 17-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Boskoop, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 25° C. and night temperatures ranged from 16° C. to 17° C. Plants of the new Hydrangea were two years old when the photographs and description were taken. Plants of the new Hydrangea are not typically treated with aluminum sulfate to “blue” the inflorescences. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmagibo’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 08-036-07, not             patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Erm-1’, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three weeks at             temperatures about 15° C. to 25° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About six             weeks at temperatures about 15° C. to 25° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             creamy white in color, actual color of the roots is             dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and             physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright and broadly spreading plant             habit; overall plant shape is flattened globular; strong and             sturdy lateral branches; moderate growth rate and moderately             vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height.—About 48 cm.         -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 65.2 cm. -   Lateral branch description:     -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit; when pinched, about             18 lateral branches develop per plant.         -   Length.—About 22.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 6.5 mm.         -   Internode length.—About 5.1 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; fully developed, woody.         -   Aspect.—Upright to about 32.5° from vertical.         -   Strength.—Strong, sturdy.         -   Color.—When developing: Close to 144A. Developed: Close to             144A; at the internodes, tinged with close to 178A; when             woody, close to 199A and 199B.         -   Lenticels.—Density: Dense. Length: About 2 mm. Diameter:             About 0.5 mm. Color: Close to N186C. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 10.3 cm.         -   Width.—About 8.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate to roughly broadly elliptic.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth to moderately rugose,             glabrous.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Smooth to moderately rugose, surface             mostly glabrous, however small tufts of short hairs present             at vein axils.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 144A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to between 143B and             144A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Darker than             between NN137A and 147A; venation, close to 143C. Fully             expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B; venation,             close to 146C.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 1.3 cm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.             Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;             moderately glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 144B.             Color, lower surface: Close to 144A. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy sterile flowers and small             inconspicuous fertile flowers arranged on mophead-type             terminal panicles; panicles globular and slightly flattened             in shape; fertile flowers face mostly upright and sterile             flowers face upright to outwardly and slightly drooping             depending on their position in the inflorescence.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Natural flowering season.—Plants flower from late spring to             late summer in The Netherlands.         -   Flower longevity.—Fertile flowers last about one week on the             plant, fertile flowers not persistent; sterile flowers last             about six weeks on the plant, sterile flowers persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit; about 35             fertile flowers per panicle and about 165 sterile flowers             per panicle.         -   Panicle height.—About 10.7 cm.         -   Panicle diameter.—About 16.2 cm.         -   Fertile flower buds.—Length: About 6 mm. Diameter: About             4 mm. Shape: Obovate. Color: Close to 63B and 63C; towards             the base, close to 145B.         -   Sterile flower buds.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About             3 mm. Shape: Globular. Color: Close to 64D.         -   Fertile flower diameter.—About 9 mm.         -   Fertile flower depth (height).—About 8 mm.         -   Sterile flower diameter.—About 4.4 cm.         -   Sterile flower depth (height).—About 1.6 cm.         -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four or             occasionally five in a single whorl. Length: About 4 mm.             Width: About 2.5 mm. Shape: Ovate, concave. Apex: Acute.             Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and             lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening             and fully opened, upper surface: Close to N66C and N66D.             When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 63B.         -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: About             four in a single whorl. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About             2.5 mm. Shape: Ovate, concave. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate.             Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening and             fully opened, upper surface: Close to N66C and N66D. When             opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 63B.         -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: About             four in a single whorl. Length: About 1.5 mm. Width: About             1.5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Broadly cuneate.             Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to 59D. Fully opened, upper             and lower surfaces: Close to 59D; towards the apex, close to             146D; color does not change with development.         -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four or             occasionally three in a single whorl. Length: About 2.6 cm.             Width: About 3.1 cm. Shape: Broadly reniform to rhomboidal             and broadly ovate. Apex: Bluntly and broadly acute. Base:             Cuneate. Margin: Irregularly dentate to serrate. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte.             Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to between N57B             and 58B. When opening, lower surface: Close to N57C to N57D.             Fully opened, upper surface: Close to between 58A and 59B;             towards the margins, close to 58B; color becoming closer to             183B with development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to             59D and lighter than 59D; color becoming closer to 182B with             development.         -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 1 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: Mostly             upright, about 15° from vertical. Texture and luster:             Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to 63C to 63D.         -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 1.9 cm. Diameter:             About 1.5 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 40°             from vertical. Texture and luster: Moderately pubescent;             matte. Color: Close to 64D.         -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: About eight. Filament length: About 4 mm. Filament             color: Close to 65B. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther             shape: Oblong. Anther color: Close to 156A to 156B. Pollen             amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 159D. Pistils:             Pistil quantity per flower: About two or occasionally three.             Pistil length: About 1 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma             color: Close to NN155C. Style length: About 0.6 mm. Style             color: Close to 65D. Ovary color: Close to 150D and lighter             than 150D.         -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: About eight. Filament length: About 3 mm. Filament             color: Close to 65C. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther             shape: Oblong. Anther color: Close to 155C. Pollen amount:             Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 159D. Pistils: Pistil             quantity per flower: About two. Pistil length: About 1 mm.             Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to NN155C.             Style length: About 0.6 mm. Style color: Close to 65D. Ovary             color: Close to 157D.         -   Seeds.—Seed development has not been observed on plants of             the new Hydrangea to date. -   Disease & pest resistance: Under commercial production conditions,     plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed to be resistant     to pathogens and pests common to Hydrangea plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown     to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘Hortmagibo’ as illustrated and described. 